Both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have given the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) the option of playing against India in the World T20 at Kolkata instead of Dharamsala, which was ruled out as a venue due to security reasons.
PCB had been pressing ICC and BCCI to shift the match out of Dharamsala, while the security delegation which visited India gave further strength to their stance.
The delegation headed by Director FIA Usman Anwar, which also included PCB’s Security Manager Azam Khan, suggested that it was unsafe for Pakistan team to play in Dharamsala as security was not assured and ICC should be asked to provide alternate venue.
“The PCB has been offered Kolkata as the venue for World T20 high voltage encounter between Pakistan and India,” a PCB official revealed .
“As the message was received, it was forwarded to Interior Minister Chaudry Nisar, who will now decide whether it is ok or not.
“As far as the board is concerned, we’re ok with Kolkata but the decision lies with the government of Pakistan.”
Shahid Afridi’s men are placed in Super 10 Group 2 alongside hosts India, Australia, New Zealand and qualifier of Group A, which will most likely be Asia Cup runners-up Bangladesh.
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